Ventilated footwear

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a ventilated footwear are generally described herein. The ventilated footwear generally includes a shoe and a sock insertable into the shoe. The shoe includes an upper and an outsole mounted to the upper. The upper and outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion includes at least one ventilation port. The sock includes a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion of the sock includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels that are separated from one another. At least one of the moisture wicking panels is superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation port of the shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/827,935, filed on May 28, 2013, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to footwear, and in particular ventilated footwear.

BACKGROUND

In several types of sports, such as golf, tennis, hockey, baseball, softball, running, basketball, football, tee ball, and cricket, an individual may wear a sock and/or a shoe on a foot. Moisture or perspiration may form in and around the foot area because of activities in connection with the sports. If not dried, excess moisture may develop in and around the foot area, which can become uncomfortable to the individual engaged in the sports. Many socks on the market are bulky and do not allow the wearer's foot to breathe and remain dry. On the other hand, socks including ventilation systems may not be designed to be worn in combination with a corresponding ventilated shoe, thus, potentially compromising their performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shoe according to one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a sock according to one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sock of FIG. 2 illustrating an inner foot portion;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the sock of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sock of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of a ventilated footwear according to one embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein, the ventilated footwear including the shoe of FIG. 1 and the sock of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the ventilated footwear of FIG. 6.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the various views of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION

As described herein, ventilated socks in some embodiments comprise a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion includes at least one moisture wicking panel. In other embodiments, ventilated shoes comprise an upper, an outsole mounted to the upper, and at least one ventilation port positioned approximately on an interface extending between the upper and the outsole. In still other embodiments, ventilated footwear comprises a shoe and a sock insertable into the shoe. The shoe includes an upper and an outsole mounted to the upper. The upper and outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion includes at least one ventilation port. The sock includes a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions. The flexible joint portion of the sock includes at least one moisture wicking panel. The moisture wicking panel is superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation port of the shoe.

When the shoe and sock are worn in combination, a ventilation system is created. This circulation system may allow cool air to enter through the lower outsole panel of the shoe. Warm air and moisture from the sock may then be driven up and through a tongue in the upper portion of the shoe. In warmer weather, the moisture wicking panels may help keep an individual's foot cool and dry, and in colder weather, they may prevent the individual's foot from sweating and getting cold. The number of moisture wicking panels may vary depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular footwear. For example, a sock adapted for seasonal use during summertime may include more moisture wicking panels relative to a sock adapted for seasonal use during wintertime.

Referring to FIG. 1-7, for example, a ventilated footwear 10 comprises a shoe 12 and a sock 14 insertable into the shoe 12. The shoe 12 includes an upper 16 and an outsole 18 mounted to the upper 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 18 includes cleats 20 coupled thereto. In other embodiments, the cleats 20 may be omitted. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard. The upper 16 and the outsole 18 are collectively associated with a toe portion 22, a heel portion 24 opposite the toe portion 22, and a flexible joint portion 26 extending between the toe and heel portions 22, 24. For example, the flexible joint portion 26 of the shoe 12 can be approximately at a ball portion and/or arch portion of the wearer's foot (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper 16 and the outsole 18 are also collectively associated with an inner foot portion 28 and an outer foot portion 30.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated flexible joint portion 26 of the shoe 12 includes a pair of ventilation ports or windows 32, one on each of the inner and outer foot portions 28, 30 and positioned approximately on an interface 34 extending between the upper 16 and the outsole 18. In the illustrated embodiment, a longitudinal axis 36 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) extends between the toe and heel portions 22, 24 of the shoe 12, and each ventilation port 32 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 36. In other embodiments, one or more ventilation ports 32 may extend substantially nonparallel to the longitudinal axis 36. In some embodiments, the interface 34 is associated with a shoe thickness, and each ventilation port 32 extends through the entire shoe thickness of the interface 34. In other embodiments, one or more ventilation ports 32 may extend into at least a part of the shoe thickness of the interface 34. In some embodiments, one or more ventilation ports 32 may be covered at least in part by GoreTex® fabric or other waterproof and breathable mesh materials such as Neoshell, OmniDry, HyVent, H2No, MemBrain and eVent. In other embodiments, the cover may be omitted. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the shoe 12 as including two ventilation ports 32, in other embodiments the shoe 12 may include one or more ventilation ports 32. For example, the shoe 12 may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or ten or more ventilation ports 32. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shoe 12 further includes a tongue 38 extending between the toe and heel portions 20, 22. In some embodiments, the tongue 38 is fixedly attached to the shoe 12, and may include a single-layer waterproof and breathable panel 40, for example, a single-layer Gore-Tex® fabric or other waterproof and breathable materials. The ventilation ports 32 and tongue 38, together with the sock 14, can create a ventilation system for the wearer's foot, as explained below.

Referring also FIGS. 2-5, for example, the sock 14 includes a toe portion 42, a heel portion 44 opposite the toe portion 42, and a flexible joint portion 46 extending between the toe and heel portions 42, 44. The flexible joint portion 46 of the sock 14 includes an instep portion 48 and a sole portion 50 opposite the instep portion 48. Furthermore, the flexible joint portion 46 of the sock 14 includes an inner foot portion 52 and an outer foot portion 54. In some embodiments, the sock 14 may comprise cotton, wool, alpaca, alpaca blended with Merino wool, cotton, silk, etc., or a combination thereof, or can be made from other man-made and naturally occurring hydrophilic materials.

The illustrated flexible joint portion 46 of the sock 14 includes a pair of moisture wicking panels 56, one on each of the inner and outer foot portions 52, 54 and positioned approximately on an interface 58 extending between the instep and sole portions 48, 50. In addition, the illustrated instep portion 48 of the sock 14 includes a moisture wicking panel 56. In other embodiments, the sock 14 may include one or more moisture wicking panels 56 in other suitable positions that may not necessarily be within the flexible joint portion 46 or the interface 58 between the instep and sole portions 48, 50. The moisture wicking panels 56 may comprise Merino wool, CoolMax® polyester (available from Invista in Wichita, Kan.), SmartWool® (available from Timberland in Stratham, N.H.), Wonder-Wick® (available from Wigwam in Sheboygan, Wis.), or a combination thereof, or can be made from other man-made and naturally occurring hydrophobic materials. In some embodiments, the moisture wicking panels 56 may be formed with a more open weave pattern relative to other portions of the sock 14 to allow surrounding air to be drawn to the sock 14 efficiently.

In the illustrated embodiment, the moisture wicking panels 56 are separated from one another. That is, instead of being interconnected, the illustrated moisture wicking panels 56 are formed as islands and surrounded by hydrophilic materials of the sock 14. In some embodiments, the moisture wicking panels 56 are coupled or interwoven to the surrounding hydrophilic materials via sewing, riveting, a snap, a hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable fasteners. For example, a textile thread such as polypropylene may extend from the moisture wicking panel 56 and into or across the surrounding hydrophilic material of the sock 14 such that the surfaces of the moisture wicking panel 56 and the surrounding hydrophilic material of the sock 14 are in contact with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, a longitudinal axis 60 extends between the toe and heel portions 42, 44 of the sock 14, and each moisture wicking panel 56 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 60. In other embodiments, one or more moisture wicking panels 56 may extend substantially nonparallel to the longitudinal axis 60. Although FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the sock 14 as including three moisture wicking panels 56, in other embodiments the sock 14 may include one or more moisture wicking panels 56. For example, a sock 14 adapted for seasonal use during summertime may include more moisture wicking panels 56 relative to a sock 14 adapted for seasonal use during wintertime. Accordingly, the sock 14 may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or ten or more moisture wicking panels 56 depending on the use requirements or preferences for the particular sock 14. In contrast to other socks, the sock 14 may include a plurality of separate moisture wicking panels 56 that are formed as islands and surrounded by hydrophilic materials of the sock 14, instead of being interconnected to other moisture wicking panels 56.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, the moisture wicking panels 56 are superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation ports 32 of the shoe 12. That is, the three moisture wicking panels 56 correspond to the ventilation ports 32 of the inner and outer foot portions 28, 30 and the tongue 38 of the shoe 12, respectively. The ventilation ports 32 and tongue 38, together with the moisture wicking panels 56 of the sock 14, can create a ventilation system for the foot to maintain suitable temperature and humidity levels.

The ventilation ports 32 on the interface 34 extending between the upper 16 and the outsole 18 of the shoe 12 receive surrounding air. Referring also to FIG. 1, when the shoe 12 and sock 14 are worn together, the air through the ventilation ports 32 is ventilated, drawn, or driven through the moisture wicking panels 56 of the sock 14. The air is then ventilated to the surrounding hydrophilic material of the sock 14, and to the moisture wicking panel 56 within the instep portion 48 of the sock 14. Subsequently, the air is ventilated to the tongue 38 of the shoe 12, and then outside the shoe 12 in the illustrated directions 62, 64, all on a substantially rapid and continuous basis. The arrangement of the moisture wicking panels 56 within the sock 14 can create a “push-pull” effect, e.g., via capillary action, wherein body heat “pushes” moisture along the fibers of the moisture wicking panels 56 away from the skin and into the “pull” of the surrounding hydrophilic yarns. Once transported and dispersed in the hydrophilic yarns, the moisture can be readily drawn or driven to the moisture wicking panel 56 within the instep portion 48 of the sock 14, and evaporate therefrom through the tongue 38 of the shoe 12 with the aid of air coming in from the ventilation ports 32. Thus, in warmer weather, the moisture wicking panels 56 may help keep an individual's foot cool and dry, and in colder weather, they may prevent the individual's foot from sweating and getting cold.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this disclosure as defined in the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ventilated sock comprising: a toe portion; a heel portion opposite the toe portion; and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions, wherein the flexible joint portion includes at least one moisture wicking panel.
 2. The ventilated sock of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint portion includes an inner foot portion and an outer foot portion, and wherein each of the inner and outer foot portions includes a respective moisture wicking panel.
 3. The ventilated sock of claim 1 further comprising an instep portion extending between the toe and heel portions, wherein the instep portion includes a moisture wicking panel.
 4. The ventilated sock of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint portion includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels, and wherein the moisture wicking panels are separated from one another.
 5. The ventilated sock of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint portion includes an instep portion, a sole portion opposite the instep portion, and wherein the moisture wicking panel is positioned on an interface extending between the instep and sole portions.
 6. The ventilated sock of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis extends between the toe and heel portions, and wherein the moisture wicking panel extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 7. A ventilated shoe comprising: an upper; an outsole mounted to the upper; and at least one ventilation port positioned approximately on an interface extending between the upper and the outsole, the at least one ventilation port configured to engage at least one of a plurality of moisture wicking panels associated with a sock, wherein the moisture wicking panels are separate from one another.
 8. The ventilated shoe of claim 7, wherein the upper and the outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion, a heel portion opposite the toe portion, and a flexible joint portion extending between the toe and heel portions, and wherein the ventilation port is positioned substantially within the flexible joint portion.
 9. The ventilated shoe of claim 7, wherein the interface is associated with an inner foot portion and an outer foot portion, and wherein a respective ventilation port is positioned substantially within each of the inner and outer foot portions.
 10. The ventilated shoe of claim 7 further comprising a tongue extending between the toe and heel portions, wherein the tongue includes a single-layer waterproof and breathable panel.
 11. The ventilated shoe of claim 7, wherein the upper and the outsole are collectively associated with a toe portion and a heel portion opposite the toe portion, wherein a longitudinal axis extends between the toe and heel portions, and wherein the ventilation port extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 12. The ventilated shoe of claim 7, wherein the interface is associated with a shoe thickness, and wherein the ventilation port extends through the entire shoe thickness of the interface.
 13. The ventilated shoe of claim 7, wherein the outsole includes at least one cleat.
 14. A ventilated footwear comprising: a shoe including an upper and an outsole mounted to the upper, wherein the upper and outsole are collectively associated with a first toe portion, a first heel portion opposite the first toe portion, and a first flexible joint portion extending between the first toe and first heel portions, and wherein the first flexible joint portion includes at least one ventilation port; and a sock insertable into the shoe, wherein the sock includes a second toe portion, a second heel portion opposite the second toe portion, and a second flexible joint portion extending between the second toe and second heel portions, wherein the second flexible joint portion includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels, wherein the moisture wicking panels are separated from one another, and wherein at least one of the moisture wicking panels is superposable to and in fluid communication with the ventilation port of the shoe.
 15. The ventilated footwear of claim 14, wherein the first flexible joint portion is associated with a first inner foot portion and a first outer foot portion, wherein a respective ventilation port is positioned substantially within each of the first inner and first outer foot portions, wherein the second flexible joint portion is associated with a second inner foot portion and a second outer foot portion, and wherein each of the second inner and second outer foot portions includes a respective moisture wicking panel.
 16. The ventilated footwear of claim 14, wherein the shoe includes a tongue extending between the first toe and first heel portions, wherein the tongue includes a single-layer waterproof and breathable panel, wherein the sock includes an instep portion extending between the second toe and second heel portions, and wherein the instep portion includes a moisture wicking panel.
 17. The ventilated footwear of claim 14, wherein the second flexible joint portion includes a plurality of moisture wicking panels, and wherein the moisture wicking panels are separated from one another.
 18. The ventilated footwear of claim 14, wherein the ventilation port is positioned approximately on an interface extending between the upper and the outsole, wherein the second flexible joint portion is associated with an instep portion, a sole portion opposite the instep portion, and wherein the moisture wicking panel is positioned on an interface extending between the instep and sole portions.
 19. The ventilated footwear of claim 14, wherein the shoe is associated with a shoe thickness, and wherein the ventilation port extends through the entire shoe thickness.
 20. The ventilated footwear of claim 14, wherein the outsole includes at least one cleat. 